Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

The Nikon Df and the Fujifilm GFX 50S are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively,
in November 2013 and September 2016. The Df is a DSLR, while the GFX 50S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (Df) and a medium format (GFX 50S) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 16.2 megapixels, whereas the Fujifilm provides 51.1 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their sensors, their features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

The physical size and weight of the Nikon Df and the Fujifilm GFX 50S are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Fujifilm GFX 50S is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Nikon Df. Moreover, the GFX 50S is slightly lighter (3 percent) than the Df. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses
that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses
in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left
arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and
make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Df was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the GFX 50S, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon Df features a full frame sensor and the Fujifilm GFX 50S
a medium format sensor. The sensor area in the GFX 50S is 69 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 0.79. The sensor in the Df has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GFX 50S offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 51.1MP, the GFX 50S offers a higher
resolution than the Df (16.2MP), but the GFX 50S has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of
5.33μm versus 7.29μm for the Df). Yet, the GFX 50S is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 10 months) than the Df, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the GFX 50S has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Nikon Df has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 50-204800.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm GFX 50S are ISO 100 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400..

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Nikon Df»

Full Frame

16.2

4928

3280

-

24.6

13.1

3279

89

Nikon Df

Fujifilm GFX 50S«

Medium Format

51.1

8256

6192

1080/30p

-

-

-

-

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Canon 5D Mark IV«»

Full Frame

30.1

6720

4480

4K/30p

24.8

13.6

2995

91

Canon 5D Mark IV

Fujifilm GFX 50R«»

Medium Format

51.1

8256

6192

1080/30p

-

-

-

-

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Hasselblad X1D«»

Medium Format

51.3

8272

6200

1080/25p

26.2

14.8

4489

102

Hasselblad X1D

Leica SL«»

Full Frame

24.0

6000

4000

4K/30p

25.0

13.4

1821

88

Leica SL

Nikon D7500«»

APS-C

20.7

5568

3712

4K/30p

24.3

14.0

1483

86

Nikon D7500

Nikon D850«»

Full Frame

45.4

8256

5504

4K/30p

26.4

14.8

2660

100

Nikon D850

Nikon D4S«»

Full Frame

16.2

4928

3280

1080/60p

24.4

13.3

3074

89

Nikon D4S

Nikon D750«»

Full Frame

24.2

6016

4016

1080/60p

24.8

14.5

2956

93

Nikon D750

Nikon D810«»

Full Frame

36.2

7360

4912

1080/60p

25.7

14.8

2853

97

Nikon D810

Nikon D7100«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.2

13.7

1256

83

Nikon D7100

Nikon D610«»

Full Frame

24.2

6016

4016

1080/30p

25.1

14.4

2925

94

Nikon D610

Nikon D4«»

Full Frame

16.2

4928

3280

1080/30p

24.7

13.1

2965

89

Nikon D4

Nikon D600«»

Full Frame

24.2

6016

4016

1080/30p

25.1

14.2

2980

94

Nikon D600

Nikon D800«»

Full Frame

36.2

7360

4912

1080/30p

25.3

14.4

2853

95

Nikon D800

Nikon D800E«»

Full Frame

36.2

7360

4912

1080/30p

25.6

14.3

2979

96

Nikon D800E

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The GFX 50S indeed provides for movie recording, while the Df does not. The highest resolution format that the GFX 50S can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Df has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight.
In contrast, the GFX 50S relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the GFX 50S can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-TL1. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon Df, the Fujifilm GFX 50S, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Shutter speed (1/sec)

Shutter flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Nikon Df»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

4000

5.5

n

n

Nikon Df

Fujifilm GFX 50S«

-

Y

3.2

2360

full-flex

Y

4000

3.0

n

n

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Canon 5D Mark IV«»

optical

Y

3.2

1620

fixed

Y

8000

7.0

n

n

Canon 5D Mark IV

Fujifilm GFX 50R«»

3690

n

3.2

2360

tilting

Y

4000

3.0

n

n

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Hasselblad X1D«»

2360

n

3.0

920

fixed

Y

2000

2.3

n

n

Hasselblad X1D

Leica SL«»

4400

Y

3.0

1040

fixed

Y

8000

11.0

n

n

Leica SL

Nikon D7500«»

optical

Y

3.2

922

tilting

Y

8000

8.0

Y

n

Nikon D7500

Nikon D850«»

optical

Y

3.2

2359

tilting

Y

8000

9.0

n

n

Nikon D850

Nikon D4S«»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

8000

11.0

n

n

Nikon D4S

Nikon D750«»

optical

Y

3.2

1229

tilting

n

4000

6.0

Y

n

Nikon D750

Nikon D810«»

optical

Y

3.2

1229

fixed

n

8000

5.0

Y

n

Nikon D810

Nikon D7100«»

optical

Y

3.2

1229

fixed

n

8000

6.0

Y

n

Nikon D7100

Nikon D610«»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

4000

6.0

Y

n

Nikon D610

Nikon D4«»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

8000

11.0

n

n

Nikon D4

Nikon D600«»

optical

Y

3.0

921

fixed

n

4000

5.5

Y

n

Nikon D600

Nikon D800«»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

8000

4.0

Y

n

Nikon D800

Nikon D800E«»

optical

Y

3.2

921

fixed

n

8000

4.0

Y

n

Nikon D800E

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The GFX 50S
has a touchscreen, while the Df has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example,
for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the GFX 50S features
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the Df and the GFX 50S write their files to SDXC cards. The GFX 50S features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the Df
only has one slot.

Connectivity comparison: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon Df and Fujifilm GFX 50S and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Nikon Df»

Y

-

-

-

-

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon Df

Fujifilm GFX 50S«

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

3.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Canon 5D Mark IV«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

Y

Y

-

Canon 5D Mark IV

Fujifilm GFX 50R«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

3.0

Y

-

Y

Fujifilm GFX 50R

Hasselblad X1D«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

Y

-

-

Hasselblad X1D

Leica SL«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

full

3.0

Y

-

-

Leica SL

Nikon D7500«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

Y

-

Y

Nikon D7500

Nikon D850«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

Y

Y

Y

Nikon D850

Nikon D4S«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D4S

Nikon D750«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

Y

-

-

Nikon D750

Nikon D810«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

Y

-

-

Nikon D810

Nikon D7100«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D7100

Nikon D610«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D610

Nikon D4«»

Y

mono

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D4

Nikon D600«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

-

-

-

Nikon D600

Nikon D800«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

-

-

-

Nikon D800

Nikon D800E«»

Y

mono

mono

Y

Y

mini

3.0

-

-

-

Nikon D800E

It is notable that the GFX 50S offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data
to an off-camera location. In contrast, the Df does not offer wifi capability.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the Df and the GFX 50S are recent models that feature in their makers' current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Nikon and Fujifilm.

Review summary: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Nikon Df or the Fujifilm GFX 50S – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon Df:

Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.

Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image framing and settings control.

Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.

Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.

More modern: Reflects 2 years and 10 months of technical progress since the Df launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GFX 50S is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

Df 06:13 GFX 50S

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Df or the GFX 50S. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews: Nikon Df vs Fujifilm GFX 50S

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.